Benefit cheat tagged

A benefit cheat who failed to declare an occupational pension has pleaded guilty to five charges of dishonesty.

Jacqueline Hegarty (56), of Lomond Terrace, Rochdale, fraudulently claimed housing and council tax benefit payments to the value of £8,269.48.

An investigation by Rochdale Borough Council’s fraud team found that Mrs Hegarty had made false benefit claims for at least seven years. She was subsequently interviewed under caution by fraud investigators where she admitted the offences.

As a result of the investigation, her claims for benefit were recalculated and, at Bury and Rochdale Magistrates Court on 5 April 2012, Mrs Hegarty pleaded guilty to five offences of dishonesty under the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The proceedings were brought by the council’s Legal and Democratic Service.

She was ordered to pay costs of £200.00 and will also have to repay the £8,269.48 she defrauded from the council.

In addition, the court imposed a three-month curfew order between the hours of 8pm and 7am with Mrs Hegarty having to wear a tag during this period.

Iain Hodgeon, Revenues & Benefits Manager at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We take a strong stance when it comes to benefit fraud as it is a serious crime.

“People wrongfully claiming money they are not entitled to means that resources are stretched even further than they already are - and the money could be better spent helping those who really need it.”